Combat veteran brewing beer to help comrades
A couple of months ago Ryan Preston came up with the idea to brew a beer for veterans and have a portion of the proceeds go to the Veterans Association Food Bank.
He approached staff at Cold Garden who liked the idea. He talked about his venture with a number of friends and business colleagues who got on board by pledging to match donations. Now Preston is looking at a donation of close to $12,000.
"The fact that this went from something that I thought might be like a little $500 donation, we're jumping up in some cash and it's going to be an amazing presentation," he said.
Blake Belding is the co-founder, co-owner and head of production at Cold Garden.
"I heard his story (and) I agreed to do it," said Belding. "I just didn't expect it was going to get this big and I said yeah let's go for it and now it's this huge thing so I'm really stoked, I think we'll make it an annual thing."
Belding said the veterans beer is already brewing and should be ready for tasting the first week in November. He's made a production batch of 2000 pints.
"We kind of wanted something really approachable, that was easy to drink, but also that was like really delicious and was worthy of the cause so we settled on just a classic lager with a little bit of a malty base to it."
Belding said lagers are notoriously difficult to make because they take a little longer than ales.
"So that was our like testament," said Belding. "We're putting in the effort on this one and we know that it'll be something that everybody enjoys and it's something that will sell quickly so that the proceeds can get into the food bank's hands."
Preston served in the Second Battalion with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry from 2002-07. He was part of Canada's first mission to Afghanistan in 2006.
"The whole Afghanistan mission right now that's crumbled, has really hit not only myself but I know a lot of my other comrades and veterans," he said.
Preston has a good support group around him and sought help when his military career ended. He hasn't had to use the Veterans Association Food Bank but knows it's a valuable service to those who need it. Now he wants to give back.
"It's very important," said Preston. "I mean I served for reason, I wanted to serve my country, I'm out and I want to continue serving."
Charles Redeker, the operations manager at the Veterans Association Food Bank, said the association just registered its 500th client with the youngest being just 26 years old. Redeker said it takes a lot for a veteran to admit they need help and once they're in the door to pick up some food, they have access to a number of programs to help them.
Redeker said he was thankful for Preston's efforts.
"It's tremendous," he said. 'You know aside from it being donation revenue coming in it's the support of the community to what we're doing, there's companies and people in the community that believe in what we're doing and the assistance that we're providing veterans."
Learn more about the food bank here: www.veteransassociationfoodbank.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.